Chapter 381
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**Chapter 381. As Easy as Breathing**
Old Shim Tong took a piece of roasted chicken that was served to him and asked:
—How does the Young Master feel?
—I’m thinking whether to leave or not. After all, all the work is done. It would be a bit regrettable to just return to Five Peaks Mountain.
—Is it okay to visit them in your current appearance?
—That’s true. Maybe I shouldn’t go?
Shim Tong shook his head with concern.
Seeing Yeon Jeokha’s expression, he felt that he wanted to go, so he couldn’t oppose him.
—It might be nice to visit them as Yeon Namcheon of the Five Dragons Palace. Thanks to that, who knows if we’ll see his true form?
—Oh! That sounds good.
At Shim Tong’s words, Yeon Jeokha slapped his knee.
Definitely, “Yeon Namcheon of the Five Dragons Palace” sounded better than “Yeon Jeokha, the half-brother who exterminated the Three Families.”
The important thing was to participate in the opening ceremony of the Yeon Military Academy, not who was going.
Honestly, the fact that there wouldn’t be anyone to welcome him if he revealed his true identity also influenced his decision.
Seeing Yeon Jeokha smiling broadly, Shim Tong let out a mocking laugh.
Although he always said he had cut ties with the Yeon Clan, it seemed it wasn’t as easy as he claimed.
—It seems Yeon Mubaek is using his head well. This is a good time for the academy or the sect to open.
—Really?
—Isn’t the martial world like the Warring States era? The power of the orthodox faction is weak, and the power of the Yoomyung Cult has also diminished. Anyone could expand their influence and stand out.
—Listening to you, that sounds true. Still, I prefer the tavern. Why bother establishing a military academy?
—Yeon Mubaek is normal; it’s the Young Master who is strange.
—Old Shim, you also own a tavern; why do you say that?
—I’m already at an age where it would be strange for me to enter a military academy, right? It’s not the same as the Young Master, who is still in his prime. He shouldn’t compare himself to me.
—Ah, I don’t know. For me, the best thing is to be able to relax and enjoy.
—Then why are you learning mystical techniques in the Wudang Sect? You could just have fun at the tavern.
—It’s because I don’t want to die beaten by the Yoomyung Cult. If it weren’t for the Yoomyung Cult, I would have retired.
Shim Tong couldn’t refute that.
He was right.
Even if he hid, the world would eventually find him and put him in front of the Yoomyung Cult.
—The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord (Great Chaeju of Nokrim) would probably be the first to come.
At times like this, having exceptional skills wasn’t always good.
—Is it worth learning mystical techniques?
—Yes, everyone says I have talent. They even called me a genius.
—The Young Master?
Shim Tong looked at Yeon Jeokha with an expression of disbelief.
Although Yeon Jeokha was abnormally strong, he wasn’t particularly intelligent.
—What’s with that look? Do you think I’m an idiot? I’m not that kind of person.
—Of course, you’re not an idiot. But you’re not a genius either, right?
When Shim Tong stared at him, Yeon Jeokha coughed and looked away.
—Well, I don’t know. Maybe I had talent for mystical techniques.
—Ah, that can’t be. I know the Young Master too well to say you don’t have it.
Hurt in his pride by Shim Tong’s words, Yeon Jeokha raised his voice.
—Do you know? What kind of person I am?
—A common young man?
—Damn it. You know me too well.
Yeon Jeokha took a sip of wine and then quietly set the cup down.
From his attitude, it seemed he wasn’t angry but just being capricious.
Or was he?
Yeon Jeokha continued speaking in a soft voice.
—I also find it a bit strange. Mystical techniques come easily to me. If I do what they tell me, it all works. Even sometimes, when I don’t do what they tell me, it still works.
—Wow! How envious. They say mystical techniques are something ordinary people can’t do.
—Exactly. I’m surprised too. Clearly, I’ve never accumulated mystical power. But my techniques are better than those of Taoists who have practiced their whole lives. I don’t know why.
—Well, I was surprised today too. It wasn’t a spell; he simply broke the mystical technique with words. That old Baek Useon was watching the Young Master closely, and I felt very relieved.
—They say internal energy and mystical power are different, but I don’t quite understand the difference.
Shim Tong looked at Yeon Jeokha with envious eyes.
If a martial artist’s internal energy is physical strength, a wizard’s mystical power is mental strength.
Therefore, “internal energy and mystical power” are like “water and oil,” completely different in nature.
That was true for martial artists like him.
But for Yeon Jeokha, that common sense didn’t apply.
—I also train in Nine Heavens Energy; why does only the Young Master show that phenomenon?
It didn’t seem to be just the difference between “nine hundred characters” and “three hundred characters.”
Not knowing what was going through Shim Tong’s mind, Yeon Jeokha continued to boast.
—Mystical techniques simply come easily to me. It’s not an exaggeration; it’s as easy as breathing.
—Wow!
For some reason, feeling a sense of deprivation, Shim Tong took the wine bottle and drank from it in one go.
He too, after obtaining the “Golden Diamond,” had memorized some mantras just in case.
About a month ago, he even tried to exorcise a madman as a test.
But it only hurt his mouth and had no effect.
No, rather, that day, the madman even slapped him.
However, Yeon Jeokha could perform mystical techniques effortlessly, as easy as breathing.
—So, how long do you plan to train in the Wudang Sect, Young Master?
—At first, I thought I would stay for a full three years, but now I think it’s unnecessary.
—Well, if mystical techniques are as easy as breathing, you should do it. When do you plan to leave?
—I plan to come down by summer at the latest. I must fulfill my promise with the leader of the cult as soon as possible.
—Huh? Why?
When Shim Tong asked, Yeon Jeokha remembered that he hadn’t told him about the curse of words.
—Ah, the pimples on my face. It’s not that the poison hasn’t dissipated. It turns out I accidentally fell under the curse of words from the leader of the Yoomyung Cult. Remember? I promised the leader that I would catch the Great Demon General Baek.
—Yes. Are you saying that was a curse of words?
—It seems so. They say it worsens bad symptoms. My master tried to undo this spell while alive, but it was too powerful, and he failed. Since I accepted it voluntarily, I must fulfill it for it to be undone.
—Wow! I never thought it was a curse of words. It seemed like a normal conversation.
—It was. That’s why one must be careful with every word when dealing with the leader of the Yoomyung Cult. I learned a lot from this experience.
—It’s frightening. But why did he ask that Tang guy to make an antidote?
—The more medicine, the better.
—Ah, is that so? Wouldn’t it be cleaner to just kill him?
—Kill someone for a crime they haven’t committed yet? That’s not right.
—The Young Master used to say that too. Disturbing things shouldn’t be left alone.
—Ah! It’s just a figure of speech. I’ve never killed anyone for that.
—That’s true… Anyway, it’s a relief that it’s not because of the poison.
Shim Tong looked at Yeon Jeokha’s face with new eyes.
It was surprising that those horrible pimples were the result of the curse of words from the leader of the Yoomyung Cult.
***
First day of the second month.
Henan Province.
Luoyang.
Goseong Village.
The Goseong village, developed along the Luo River, a tributary of the Yellow River, is quite a large village.
It has two military academies, as well as a escort agency and a chamber of commerce.
With the Yeon Military Academy about to open, there will be three.
Although the existing military academies opposed it, the young owner of the Yeon Military Academy insisted on the opening.
Early in the morning.
In the inner residence of the Yeon Military Academy, a man and a woman were sitting across from each other.
The Waryong Swordsman, Yeon Mubaek, his wife Yang Ihwa, and his younger brother, Yeon Seungbaek.
Yang Ihwa cautiously asked:
—Did they come from the Blue Dragon Military Academy and the White Tiger Military Academy?
—They said yes. Don’t expect them to say good things.
At Yeon Mubaek’s words, Yeon Seungbaek intervened:
—Brother, you shouldn’t pay attention to what rural military academies say.
—You shouldn’t pay attention. There could be a confrontation. I plan to listen with one ear and let it go out the other.
Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seungbaek had developed a rather experienced attitude after going through the Justice Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Alliance.
Still, their youth led them to think about fighting if words didn’t work.
But Yang Ihwa, by nature gentle, was different.
—Still, they are military academies, so try to resolve it with dialogue. Although they hate each other, they are people who will live together in the same region. They shouldn’t earn the dislike of respected people in the community.
—Sister-in-law, we also want to resolve it with dialogue. But this is a power struggle. They and we are competitors, not partners.
—Still…
—You’ll see. Even if they come today, they won’t say congratulations. It will be a miracle if they don’t cause problems.
While listening to the conversation between his wife and his brother, Yeon Mubaek changed the subject.
—Seungbaek, will Seolju definitely come?
—Yes, she said she had no urgent matters in the Haewon Chamber of Commerce, so she could take a few days off.
—Jeokha…
Yeon Mubaek glanced sideways at Yang Ihwa.
After the fall of the Three Families (Waryong Manor, Baek Manor, Yang Manor), Yeon Jeokha and Yang Ihwa had become enemies.
Although the Yeon and Baek clans had no right to complain about Yeon Jeokha due to their crimes, the Yangs were different.
Her family had fallen just for being political relatives, so her anger was immense.
Especially since the Yeon Military Academy was established with the support of Yang Ihwa’s family.
For Yeon Mubaek, it was an uncomfortable situation in front of his wife.
Or not?
When Yeon Jeokha’s name was mentioned, Yang Ihwa’s previously gentle face froze.
—I sent an invitation through the Cheoneung Escort Agency. Anyway, that guy won’t come. With that, I’ve done my part.
Yeon Mubaek nodded silently.
It’s true.
Even if they called him, he wouldn’t come.
Or rather, it would be a problem if he did come.
His wife was sharpening her sword, so even if he showed up, he wouldn’t receive a warm welcome.
Meanwhile, Yang Ihwa didn’t say a single word after hearing Yeon Jeokha’s name.
The Yang Family Manor, filled with childhood memories, had closed its doors, and her family had scattered everywhere.
All because they financed Waryong Manor.
Just hearing Yeon Jeokha’s name made her blood boil and her heart race.
As the tension in the atmosphere grew, Yeon Seungbaek quickly changed the subject.
—By the way, there’s a rumor that Gwanju Jeong and Gwanju Shim are secretly gathering people.
—Gathering people?
Yeon Mubaek frowned.
The Gwanju of the Blue Dragon Military Academy (Cheongryong Mugwan) was Jeong Oryang, and the Gwanju of the White Tiger Military Academy (Baekho Mugwan) was Shim Yangseop.
That meant both academies were recruiting people.
—I found out by chance yesterday, and it seems it’s not just a rumor.
—No matter how much they recruit in a provincial military academy, it won’t change much.
—Brother, do you know anything about Cheolhyeolbang (Iron Blood Gang)?
—is there anyone in Luoyang who doesn’t know Cheolhyeolbang?
Cheolhyeolbang was the most powerful faction of the Evil Faction (Sapa) in Luoyang.
Originally, its leader was Great Divine Strength (Goryeok Shindo), Joo Yeonsin.
However, he lost his position to the Malevolent Demon Saber (Saaak Dobu), Jwa Yangseon, one of the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult.
When the war between the Yoomyung Cult and the Heaven and Earth Alliance (Cheonji Maeng) officially broke out, Jwa Yangseon went to White Demon Temple (Baekmasa) and disappeared.
Since then, only rumors circulated: some said he was dead, others that he had joined the Myeongwang Cult.
Currently, Cheolhyeolbang was again under the command of the former Vice Bangju, Joo Yeonsin.
—It seems Gwanju Jeong has connections with Cheolhyeolbang.
—Connections?
—They say he is close to the Death Sword (Samang Geom).
—Death Sword, Lee Cheolwon?
Yeon Mubaek’s eyes opened slightly.
Lee Cheolwon was the Dangju of Cheolhyeolbang and the right-hand man of Joo Yeonsin.
After a moment of silence, Yeon Mubaek spoke calmly.
—If Great Divine Strength came in person, it would be another story. But the Death Sword is no match for me. Besides, behind us is the Infinite Heaven Alliance (Hocheon Maeng). No matter how much Cheolhyeolbang does as they please, they won’t dare to get involved.
—I think so too.
Yeon Seungbaek nodded, showing his agreement.
He had made that comment just to change the atmosphere, and seeing his sister-in-law’s confused expression, he felt it had worked well.